International News in September 2005
Show all of 2005
WIPO members states extend work on protection of traditional knowledge
Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have agreed to continue accelerated work on intellectual property (IP) and traditional knowledge, genetic resources and folklore, with a focus on the international dimension. more >
Artists unite to protect cultural diversity
As part of the world movement against free trade in culture, a Swiss coalition for cultural diversity, representing 50 groups, has been formed in Bern. more >
Critic blasts Australia Council for leaving too many artists out in the cold
The arts are an ecosystem and artists are like slime mould, says the cultural critic Keith Gallasch. This, science confirms, is good, because slime moulds can turn themselves into new shapes for survival. But Gallasch believes there's a new omnivore threatening the ecosystem: the Australia Council for the arts. more >
Ministry helps celebrate culture in Montreal
Montreal’s Minister of Culture and Communication, Mrs. Line Beauchamp, has helped to launch the city’s Culture Week 2005 program. more >
Artistic Commentary at the Library on the Zeal to Ban Books
An art installation at the Donnell Library Center in Manhattan documents the banning of books throughout history. more >
Americans for the Arts Offers Aid for Disasters
Hurricane Katrina's devastating impact on the Gulf Coast's arts community has led the nonprofit organisation Americans for the Arts to establish a new emergency relief fund. more >
Culture takes centre stage for city governments
Cities are looking to cultural events as a way to attract wealthy taxpayers. more >
Art And Culture Body Established
A new body designed to promote the arts and cultural revival was launched last week with ceremony in the capital. more >
China strives for Sino-French cultural exchanges: CPPCC leader
Li Meng, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said on Friday that both China and France should summarise their experience in holding China-France Cultural Year, and strive for new growth of cultural exchanges between the two nations. more >
Minister's fingers burnt
Bowing to mounting pressure, Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni has resigned. more >
Artists 'get brush-off from business'
Banks and businesses in Scotland have been accused of letting down the country's thriving contemporary art scene by failing to support Scottish artists. more >
Cultural Activist Receives Recognition
Cultural activist Bogadi Sefhako will be amongst the people honoured by President Festus Mogae on Independence Day - September 30 - in recognition of her immense contribution to arts and culture in the country. more >
Executive set to reject arts super-quango
The Scottish Executive is likely to turn its back on "Culture Scotland", the arts super-quango proposed in its £600,000 policy review, according to those who recommended its creation. more >
Iranian Poet, Rumi to Be Center Stage in Paris Week of Foreign Cultures
Iran is one of the countries taking an active part in events foreseen for Paris week of foreign cultures from 26 September to 2 October. The week is organised by the forum of foreign cultural institutes in Paris (FICEP), bringing together some 38 cultural centers and institutes. more >
Art as diplomacy
The appointment of Karen Hughes, one of President Bush's closest advisers, as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy signals the administration's recognition of the importance of repairing America's image around the globe, especially in the Arab world. more >
Entirely new ways are needed to promote the arts
A standing-room only audience crammed itself into a lecture hall at Columbia University on a crisp, sunny morning last May for a symposium titled “Measuring the Muse”. more >
Google opens digital library
Google Inc. is asking European book publishers to submit non-English material to its Internet-leading search engine _ a move that may ease worries about the company's digital library relying too heavily on Anglo-American content. more >
Conference gets to the art of culture
A conference on the future of arts and culture is to be hosted at the Scottish Parliament next week by Green MSP Chris Ballance. more >
HK, Holland sign cultural cooperation pact
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China has bolstered cultural ties with the Netherlands by signing a cooperation agreement, the government said Thursday. more >
View on the Seine is Aboriginal
It seems to be an era of reverse imperialism on the banks of the River Seine. At the bustling construction site of the Musee du Quai Branly, Jacques Chirac's expansive dream of a museum in the heart of Paris dedicated to non-Western art from Oceania, Africa, Asia and the Americas, Australian Aborigines are conquering the Europeans. more >
Ecowas Culture Ministers Meet in Abuja
Participants recently gathered for the second Ecowas Culture Ministers' Conference, where the creation of an Ecowas cultural fund to support promotion of art and artists, the adoption of a calender of cultural festivals, and property rights laws of Ecowas member states were among the discussion points. more >
In case of war: nominations sought for list of cultural treasures to be saved at all costs
Ever considered saving for the day after Armageddon? That opportunity has now arrived. To preserve the nation's heritage in the event of war, the British government yesterday launched a consultation process. more >
National Arts Council Established
Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, John Mutorwa, yesterday introduced the newly appointed members of the National Arts Council of Namibia, who will administer the country's National Arts Fund. more >
Europe sets stage for cross-continental arts festival
The European Union and China are celebrating three decades of diplomatic ties with a massive street festival in Beijing - the biggest cultural event ever staged by the European Union in China. more >
Peace tapestry arrives 75 years late
A tapestry intended to symbolise the benefits of peace for the peoples of the world was today unveiled at the United Nations' European headquarters - 75 years after it was commissioned. more >
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